The Blue Heron

 On my way to minister, I step onto my deck.  To the left, I can see trees lining a long ditch.  Just to the right is a rocky knoll.  Nine miles beyond it I am reminded why these are mountains of smoke.

 My truck disturbs the Sunday morning quiet. Turning left out of the driveway, the Big Oak faces me.  A winter ago a bear cub ran from there past the house.  More recently two turkeys strolled there and back like two lovers on a country lane.

 

Sharply to the right I find myself between the Big Field and Koella’s.  A coyote would not be unexpected, but that idea is for naught.

 

I turn left toward Lizzie’s.  I look over to the left in the woods and look at the husk of the rock house.  Who lived there and when?  What happened to cause it to be abandoned?

 

Perry’s yard is full of perfectly straight lines of trees and flowers.  Always straight.  Always there.

 

Slowing down, I yield.  Nothing coming down the hill, yet I still yield.  I continue on, beginning to put my game face on for the preaching to come.

 

Rolling past the trailer park, that skinny, annoying dog comes flying out and snaps at my tires.  How long will she survive before she mis-times her chase and finds death?  

 

Gazing over at the recycled house, I expect nothing.  That’s when I see it.

 

The blue heron.

 

Gliding above the wet weather creek and beside my truck.  I pace it until I see the old garage.  I lose sight of it and search in vain.  I give up hope of seeing it again.

 

Until.

 

There it is.

 

Standing in the road in front of me.

 

I stop and watch it.  Her?  Him?  How do you tell with a bird?  I’m amused.  The bird looks bored.  It turns and flies over into the Hensley’s yard.

 

This is what I see.

 

 

I continue to watch, amazed at this bird.  I used to call it the crane when it stood in the river, until I learned better.

 

I wonder if there was a purpose God created the heron for.  Has anyone ever eaten them?  Are there many of them left?

 

I continue to look and remember that when God was done creating, He called it good.

 

Does the blue heron have a purpose?

 

Yes.

 

To provide God pleasure.

 

I look up to the Lord and thank Him.  Thank Him for His creation.  With it, I groan.  I groan for His return.  I long for the curse to be totally removed.

 

I praise Him.  If I didn’t, the heron might.  Perhaps it is.  Perhaps we are praising Him together.

 

I thank Him for the reminder.

 

I thank Him for the blue heron.

 

I have been ministered to.

 

I am ready to minister.